Green-winged Macaw

Ara chloroptera

Also Called: Red and Green Macaw or Crimson Macaw

Often confused with the Scarlet Macaw, the Green-winged Macaw is mostly red, with blue and green wings, a blue tail and gray legs. Their face is white and striped with small red feathers; their upper beak is whitish and the lower beak is black. One of the largest of the Macaws, the Green-winged Macaw can grow up to three feet in length and three and half pounds in weight.

Nuts, fruit, berries, seeds and some vegetable matter foraged from trees constitute the typical diet of these Macaws. They are able to eat some poisonous fruits due to their habit of eating river clay, which appears to neutralize the toxins.

Tropical forests and swamps in Central and South America, including Columbia, Panama, Venezuela, Guyana and Trinidad.

Boa constrictors, Hawks, Opossums and Rats prey on Green-winged Macaws and their eggs in the wild. The largest dangers to all Macaws are the illegal bird trade and habitat destruction.

Green-winged Macaws are frequently seen in pairs or family groups and occasionally gather in small flocks of six to twelve birds. Larger groups are found in feeding trees or on clay banks, where they may group with other Macaws. They are fairly shy birds and are difficult to see in foliage. Usually only heard within the forest, Green-winged Macaws will fly off making loud screeches when alarmed.

Breeding season ranges from November to March. They lay from one to three eggs, which incubate and hatch within 28 days. They young leave the nest within 90 to 100 days.

Green-winged Macaws have excellent eyesight and hearing. In captivity they can learn to talk, but are not considered good mimics.